Chapter Twenty-Eight

Farewell

Loki's bed was a glorious sea of fluffy pillows, soft mattress and silk sheets. Sprawled within its centre, Alex found herself less than inclined toward making the journey to the edge. Perhaps she could ignore the world around her? Wait in Loki's bed until he returned for her that evening? The idea held much appeal, yet Alex knew it to be impossible. It was her last full day in Asgard: the final chance to spar with Sif, dine with Volstagg and drink with Fandral. Maybe, after all these months, she would finally prise a word from Hogun's lips. There were so many people to say goodbye too, so much to do – so much to pack. The more she thought about it, the more she loathed Lucas for forcing her to leave.

Once we are at Geraldine I expect you to show your gratitude...

The words lingered, biting at her subconscious. Loki had insisted that Lucas would never touch her again, but Alex knew this was unlikely. Loki believed himself powerful, but within the confines of Geraldine he would be akin to a monkey in a cage. Something for Lucas to gawk at – taunt – until the man Alex loved no longer existed. No, deep in the bowels of the Australian outback, Loki had no power to stop Lucas at all.

Allowing herself one final stretch, Alex slid from the bed, toes curling in the luxurious rug covering the polished timber floors. The temperature within the chambers was surprisingly cool, causing Alex to snatch Loki's jacket from the back of a nearby chair. The heavy garment swamped her, the arms falling past her fingers, the bottom hissing along the floor. It smelt of leather and Loki, a heavenly combination that incited her to wrap it tighter around her. She wondered if he would let her keep it, though smuggling home the God of Mischief's coat might seem slightly suspicious.

Perhaps she could keep it in an airtight container, hidden away in the cupboard beneath the stairs in her Canberra apartment? When she was an old woman, she could bring it out, breathing deeply of the remnants of his scent. Would Loki still be in Geraldine by then? Perhaps he would be a freed man, one that had left her the moment her mortal lifespan became evident in her face. Old age. Yet another reason she and Loki were destined to be apart.

Lips pressed in a frown, Alex threw open the curtains, bathing the room in light she was sure it had not seen in months. A haze of dust danced upon the air, reflecting the sunlight in its hectic tango. Rather than windows there were heavy glass doors, flanked by ornate frames of silver and gold. They opened smoothly, welcoming the fresh air. Alex breathed deeply, the coat a warm barrier against the uncomfortable fingers of Asgard's winter winds.

Like all balconies in the palace, Loki's looked out upon a stunning view: of ocean, forest and mountain, flanked by the bustling mass of the city. Resting against the railing, Alex wondered how many times Loki had bathed in this view. Had he brought women out onto the balcony, whispered sweet nothings into their ears in a game of seduction? Had he told them to hold onto the railings as he took them from behind, long fingers gripping their hips through sheer Asgardian silk?

Would he do the same to her this evening? Pressing his lips against the back of her neck, cock angled deep within her? In the blatant light of day, Alex felt her cheeks burn, biting the inside of her mouth with nervous teeth. This was not something she ought to be thinking about. There was too much to do... so little time.

It was only as she ventured back into Loki's chambers that Alex noticed the small note on the large cedar doors. She had never seen Loki's handwriting before, and found herself enchanted by the slanted characters, etched perfectly in emerald ink.

My little mortal,

I would advise you against using the main door. I have left a trail within the secret passageway for you to follow. It will take you back to your chambers. Simply tilt the copy of Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger to reveal the entrance.

Until tonight.

Alex raised an eyebrow, eyes pouring over the floor to ceiling bookshelves. "Easier said than done Loki," she murmured, running her fingertips along the different bindings. The more she saw, the more she wished she had visited Loki's chambers earlier. While many of the volumes were available in the library, others were of such a rare nature that Alex marvelled that even Loki had a copy.

Much to her surprise, Magical Drafts and Potions was not particularly difficult to find. It was on a central shelf, bursting with titles like Medieval Witchcraft in England. Once again, she found herself fascinated. Since when had Loki taken an interest in Midgardian 'magicks'?

Alex pulled the book, gasping as the shelf slid out to reveal one of the many passages that lined the halls of the citadel. Small white objects littered the ground, evidently Loki's trail of breadcrumbs. Alex bent over to retrieve one, marvelling in the soft texture, the heady aroma of... lily petals.

Well that was almost romantic.

The trail seemed to take no logical course, a serpentine labyrinth of narrow and wide corridors. There were spiral staircases and ramps that seemed to go for miles. After what seemed millennia, the trail of petals stopped.

Alex pulled the golden leaver imbedded in the wall, revealing her chambers within. The site merely caused her to sadden further. This was her home. She had never really contemplated what it would be like to leave, though she knew she inevitably would. It had just seemed like so many months away...

oOoOoOo

Time seemed to pass unnaturally fast that day, each hour seeming like minutes, minutes like mere seconds. The only thing that remained constant was the general loathing of Malory that emulated from all corners. Within the short space of time that he had been there, Lucas had inadvertently insulted most of the high standing Asgardians that he came into contact with.

"Foul... Repugnant...!" Sif panted between heavy blows of her practise sword. Alex deftly parried the blows, a little taken out by her sparring partner's aggressive stance. "I did not work this hard to be treated like a piece of meat by a disgusting little mortal." Sif's fiery statement was punctuated by the loud clack of the swords. "No offence, Lady Alex."

"None taken." Alex's own voice was tainted by exhaustion. "Lucas is the worst example of my kind."

Sif knocked away Alex's sword, planting the point of her own at Alex's neck. Even after all this time, it seemed as though she would not better Sif. Not that it particularly concerned her. As long as she could better Lucas Malory.

"It saddens me that you have to leave. Are you sure you cannot change it?"

Alex shook her head. Prior to their sparring, she had been on Skype with Fury. The picture was blurry and pixelated (despite Tony's best efforts), but even through the haze she could perceive Fury's irritation at Lucas' interference. The Director basically informed her that she was coming back to Midgard for the purpose of getting Lucas off his case. While Alex could understand Fury's reasoning, it did not stop her feeling more than a little resentful.

"Shall we go another round, Lady Alex?"

Sif held out the handle of Alex's discarded sword. It was the practice weapon she always used, an old friend. She knew it was foolish to grow sentimental over a hunk of wood, but like Loki's jacket, she felt an undeniable urge to souvenir it.

"You will of course drink and feast with us tonight?"

Alex smiled, aiming an ill-placed jab at the warrior's side. "Wouldn't miss it."

"I merely hope that bilgesnipe spawn does not attend. If I catch him looking at my chest one more time..." Sif clenched her spare hand.

"Tony looks at your chest all the time."

"The man of iron is different. I do not particularly care for his company, but he is a great hero. Malory reminds me more of Loki."

"Loki?" Alex paled. The last thing she needed swamping her mind was a comparison of Loki to Malory. Not her Loki...

"Indeed. But even Loki was never so... lecherous."

They sparred in silence until Sif inevitably won, but parted ways once they reached the gates. Sif was not a particularly sentimental maiden, yet she scooped Alex into a hug none-the-less. "I will miss our sparring, Lady Alex. You are a worthy friend."

Alex felt tears spring in her eyes. "As are you, Sif."

oOoOoOo

The feast commenced before the falling of the sun. Tables were lined with vegetables served in every conceivable fashion, sweet wine and mead flowed freely from large barrels. One table strained beneath a huge array of desserts, most notably a sticky chocolate cake, the ingredients evidently brought from Midgard. Now the tears were running as freely as the mead. Alex, whose life had always been a lonely venture, sometimes punctuated with a joyous friendship, had finally found her place. She was not blind to the fact that every morsel of food was one that she had, in the past, shown a taste for. The music played by the bards was of the lively sort; that which she always enjoyed. The only downside was the presence of Lucas, but he remained exiled to the corner of the room. Evidently no one wished to be in his company.

"Lady Alex! I will miss you and your strange eating habits." Volstagg clapped her on the back, his plate brimming with vegetables. Had Alex not been in the middle of sobbing, she may have laughed. It was... unique... not to find Volstagg with a giant leg of mutton in his grasp.

"All the more reason you should come and visit me," Alex replied, snatching a crispy potato off his plate. "We have these things on Midgard called barbeques. I think you would be quite the fan."

Several meads later, she found herself talking with Fandral, who had forgone his usual entourage of fangirls for the evening. Well, actually, he had since Darcy's departure many months before.

"You know, Alexandra. Had things panned out differently, I think we would have made a fetching couple."

Alex snorted. "Don't let Darcy hear you say that. She would use your testicles as a purse."

Fandral paled. "Indeed she would." The tall slim blonde captured her in a hug. "You must return to Asgard, with Darcy. I think that would make you both happy."

Mildly mystified by Fandral's strangely poignant words, Alex floated through the rest of the party: dancing with Volstagg, laughing with the Avengers, even exchanging small talk with Odin (who showed up briefly). The oddest encounter was with Hogun, who, much to Alex's delight, bid her farewell with a voice as melodic as the lone flutist she had heard the night she first slept with Loki. She wondered briefly if it had been Hogun holding the instrument.

It was not until Frigga confronted her that Alex realised the lateness of the hour. "Alexandra, I believe it is time for you to visit my son." The older woman smiled, gently kissing Alex's cheek. "I will make your excuses."

oOoOoOo

Her feet barely touched the ground, the clash of her footfalls echoing from the golden walls. How many hours had he waited? Would he be angry? Why did she want him to be angry? Yes they would talk. Eventually. At Geraldine. Now she just wanted him. Wanted him so desperately it made it difficult to think.

The dark wood of his door was cool beneath her knuckles, her knock deep and penetrating. The visage of stunning cedar was soon replaced by the utterly nude figure of Loki, eyes livid, fingers wrapped in soft material of emerald green.

Her knickers.

"You're late." His voice was a low growl, hand clutching her arm, drawing her in. The door shut, her back soon pressed against it.

"I am so-"

Her excuse was slashed by his kiss, forceful and delicious. She welcomed his eager tongue, embraced the hard touch of his long fingers, which drew up the skirts of her Asgardian gown in desperate haste.

"No undergarments?" Loki hissed against her lips. "My, my, you are a little whore tonight."

Alex moaned as long fingers slid within her, the pad of his thumb stroking her clit. "No impediments."

"Good girl." Withdrawing his fingers, Loki drew her further up the door, clutching her thighs. "Are you sure of this?" His tone was a mere rasp, the head of his cock pressed within her folds.

"Shut up and fuck me, Loki."

The noise that emanated from Loki's throat was almost as delicious as the sensation of his presence within her. Dear Odin, she had missed this. His taste, his touch, the little sounds he made with each thrust. Hitching her legs around his waist, Loki moved one hand to her chest, pulling down her gown to reveal her breasts. His mouth attacked, teeth and tongue grazing her nipples as his thrusts took on a more desperate edge. Her own fingers curled in his hair as she came, weeks of pent up desire spilling over with a strangled growl. As her inner walls tightened around him, Loki too, came undone.

Loki did not move, nor did Alex wish him too. The haze of their embrace had left them without need of movement. After a time, Alex kissed Loki's flushed cheek, tracing the sharp contour of his cheekbone with her tongue.

"Care to tell me why you are holding a pair of my undies?"